Though maybe not so good news for USC. Sophomore running back C.J. Gable was hurt a couple days ago and, while it looks like he’ll be okay at some point, he’s not 100 percent for now.

Which means that Johnson–USC’s only fully healthy every-down back at the moment–should increase his carries in the early season.  When you also take into account the gimpiness of Mark Sanchez and the possible debut of a new quarterback, it makes sense that USC would lean heavily on its running game in the first half of the season.  As a result, big games against Virginia and Ohio State could catapult Johnson from Heisman dark horse into real Heisman contention.

Remember, the last seven Trojan tailbacks who surpassed 1,400 yards in a season at some point in their careers went on to either win the Heisman or finish second in the voting.